Walk the Walk: Audio and Video Terms

From AAD to Voice Coils (we don't have any "Z" terms yet), this glossary will break-down the alphabet soup and "audiophile-speak." Credit for some terms: TheWhippinpost, Aaron Miller, Audio Concepts

Delay
The time difference between a sonic event and its perception at the listening position (sound traveling through space is delayed according to the distance i...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 6:36 AM
Delicate
 High frequencies extending to 15 or 20 kHz without peaks.
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 6:37 AM
Depth
 A sense of distance (near to far) of different instruments.
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 6:38 AM
Detailed
 Easy to hear tiny details in the music; articulate. Adequate high frequency response, sharp transient response.
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 6:38 AM
Diaphragm
The interface between the air and the electronic components which allows the conversion of sound to electrical signals and visa versa.
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 6:39 AM
Dielectric
Insulating materials exposed to electric fields are called dielectrics. Dielectrics are necessary parts in the construction of any cable because they preven...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 6:40 AM
Diffraction
Anomalies created when a wave moves out from the diaphragm and encounters a radical change in the baffle - say a 90 degree corner. The sharper the corner, t...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 6:40 AM
Diffusion
In audio, the scattering of sound waves, reducing the sense of localization. In video, the scattering of light waves, reducing hot spotting, as in a diffusi...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 6:41 AM
Digital
Represented by a numerical code. For sound, the conversion of an analogue waveform to a series of numbers representing the instantaneous amplitude for each ...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 6:41 AM
Digital chain
Where the complete signal path is digital and there are no analog steps except when the amplifier converts the digital information into the analog waveform ...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 6:42 AM